Using biodiversity features to promote an Ecosystem-Based Conservation framework in terrestrial ecosystems

PLOS One | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0336705 November 21, 2025 10 / 18 Discussion Unprotected areas within terrestrial ecosystems tend to receive less scientific attention [54,55] and are often overlooked in conservation frameworks. As a result, they can often face increasing threats from human activities. This study used literature-based species occurrence data to provide a broad assessment of biodiversity distribution across Tanzania’s terrestrial ecosystems. Given that conserving global biodiversity is a critical challenge, particularly in the face of a changing climate and increasing anthropogenic pressures, the lack of protection for fragile ecosystems is worrying [56–58]. Under- standing the distribution of biodiversity features and the extent to which they are conserved in different ecosystems is vital for evidence-based, effective conservation planning. In regions where field-based inventories are limited or unavailable, such literature-derived estimates can serve as a practical proxy for assessing biodiversity distribution at the ecosystem scale and informing conservation planning. The results generated in this study contain information that is essential for effective conservation planning and for developing a robust, ecosystem-based conservation approach that can support efforts to halt biodiversity loss. The sum of biodiversity features estimated here can be extrapolated to highlight species abundance at ecosystem level, given that the method is based on abundance and diversity studies in similar ecosystems (e.g., tropical

Fig 4. Proportions of biodiversity features estimated in various Tanzanian ecosystems, based on the literature search. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0336705.g004